WW2Museums.com
Military Technical Museum Lešany, Czech Republic
On August the 9th, 2006 I visited the Military Technical Museum in Lešany in the Czech Republic. The Museum had been described as being amongst the biggest in Europe with over 440 tanks, vehicles, motor bikes, guns and weaponry, so I had to go there!
It was far from easy to find the Museum: it is situated far into the backwaters of the Czech Republic, about 25 km (some 15 miles) south of the Capital City of Prague (Praha). After cruising through the outback I reached the Museum and the size of the parking lot raised a lot of doubts in my mind.
Once inside (the entry was free of charge) I questioned my decision for the visit again this time whilst I was looking at a pink IS-2 heavy tank. It was only when I continued and became aware of the 13 large halls and covert parking lots, that the Museum appeared to comply with my expectations.
One of the halls contains an impressive exposition: a dugout trench that you can enter into, surrounded by tanks. In the other exposition halls you will find various vehicles and guns on
show. There are even two hangars especially equipped for the exhibition of artillery and AA-guns.
The Museum is mainly focused on the military history of the Czech Republic and therefore shows many Czech vehicles and guns, both from before and after WW2.
That's why also two well known German vehicles can be seen: a conquered Czech T-38 (Pz.Kpfw.38(t)) light tank and a ‘Hetzer’ tank chaser, constructed on the body-work of the 38. Next to those you see various Sovjet vehicles and guns, like an IS-2, an IS-3, various T-34/85s, T-34/76s, an ISU-152, a 45mm anti-tank-gun as well as a Maksim
M-1910 machinegun. From the Germans there are amongst others a Pz.Kpfw.IV, a Hetzer, a staff car, an 88 Flak gun (Ack Ack) and a Kettenrad.
Next to all military vehicles there are also a number of brilliant civil transports, like for example a beautifully restored fire truck.
All in all this hardly known Museum is worth to be visited. Don’t count on hordes of tourists and rows of souvenir shops. The Museum is a typical example of a Czech tourist attraction: poor parking facilities, no English speaking people, a small diner (in a former army truck), no decent coffee or snacks and only a very few visitors.
Don't underestimate your traveling time and you will enjoy a fantastic day.
Opening hours: 09:00 - 17:00 Wednesday - Sunday, 1 June - 30 September.*
Pictures: Auke de Vlieger
Editor: Auke de Vlieger
* Opening hours as published on
the 9th of August, 2006.
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